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Peacemaking through film and pastrami: Caplansky's signs on to sponsor Toronto Palestine Film Festival

As the conflict in Gaza intensifies, Zane Caplansky, owner of Toronto's consummate Jewish deli, is trying to build bridges with smoked meat and rye.

Zane Caplansky, owner of Caplansky's deli as well as a food truck, is acting as a sponsor to the Toronto Palestine Film Festival. He says he was stunned by the "disgusting" and "brutal" nature of Facebook comments over the violence in Gaza, wanted to make a statement that would help "Palestinians understand that it's not black and white, and maybe make Jewish people understand that it's not black and white." (Andrew Francis Wallace / Toronto Star) | Order this photo

As public opinion on the war in Gaza becomes increasingly polarized, Zane Caplansky, the owner of Toronto’s consummate Jewish deli, is trying to carve out some space in the middle.

The popular College St. eatery has signed on to sponsor an upcoming screening of the Toronto Palestine Film Festival. Caplansky, 46, hopes it is a powerful statement, conveyed with smoked meat and rye.

“I want to make it known that my business, which is identified as a Jewish business, is absolutely supporting Palestinian causes,” he said. “That would maybe make Palestinians understand that it’s not black and white, and maybe make Jewish people understand that it’s not black and white.”

The intensifying conflict in the Middle East has recently ratcheted up tensions in Toronto, which is home to large Jewish and Palestinian communities.

This week in Thornhill, police were twice called to the scene of hateful graffiti, which included a swastika and “F--- Israel” in one location, and the words “F--- Gaza” and “Arabs go home” in another.

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Caplansky, who describes his position as “anti-war,” said he has been struck by the “disgusting” and “brutal” nature of status updates on Facebook, which has become a magnet for extreme views.

“There’s a war going on. Hundreds of people have been killed,” he said. “You can’t tell me something positive is going to come out of it.”

Seeking to inject some calm into the discussion, he chose this week to announce his support for the film festival’s outdoor screening in Christie Pits Park on Aug. 8.

Within 24 hours, his matter-of-fact post had garnered more than 150 “likes” and dozens of positive comments.

“The path to peace is through breaking bread … with spicy mustard and pastrami,” one friend offered.

Others simply called him a “mensch.”

Dania Majid, a programmer for the Toronto Palestine Film Festival, said she is touched by Caplansky’s public display of support.

“It’s a heartwarming gesture, and I know it’s coming from a good place,” she said. “Palestinian solidarity is not based on religion or ethnic background. It’s based on the principle of human rights for all … Everyone who supports that universal principle is welcome and part of this, whether they be Jewish or other.”

Caplansky’s desire to find common ground traces back to high school, when as president of York Mills Collegiate, he visited the home of the school’s vice-president, who was Palestinian.

“He had a map of Israel on the wall, and it said, ‘Palestine,’” he recalled. “I realized he has a different perspective, and we can still be friends.”

He said he made the decision several months ago to supply the film festival with one of his signature blue-and-white food trucks, emblazoned with the slogan, “Sometimes you just have to Jew it up.” (“I’m not sure how well that’s going to go over,” he said, with a laugh.)

On offer during the screening of Laila’s Birthday, a dark comedy by Palestinian director Rashid Masharawi, will be a selection of the Caplansky classics: smoked meat sandwiches; barbecue brisket; smoked meat poutine; maple beef bacon doughnuts.

“I hope they eat. I hope they enjoy,” Caplansky said. “I hope they understand that we’re in this together. This isn’t us and them. This is just us.”

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